The Easiest Way to Fix Sun-Damaged Hair

Say hello to brighter color and more shine.

Whether your strands are blonde or brunette, colored or natural, it's likely that you've noticed fading since Labor Day. The reason: "Summer is when hair is subjected to the three biggest causes of damage: sun, chlorine, and salt water," says Kyle White, lead colorist at the Oscar Blandi Salon in New York City. Luckily, there are a few easy tweaks you can add to your regimen to treat your hair well into fall.

Enhance Color For a quick hue refresh, head to the kitchen. Blondes tend to lose golden colors, resulting in ashiness, says White. Counter this with chamomile tea: Rinse damp hair with cooled tea (the longer it steeps and the richer its color, the better), and let it sit for five to 30 minutes before shampooing. "This deposits the yellow and gold tones that are the first to fade in blondes," says White.

Maximize Shine When it's time to recolor, apply dye only where you see visible changes. "Fading typically occurs only on the top layer, where hair is exposed to sun, and at the ends, which are the most porous. Since color is damaging, apply it only where it's needed to minimize wear and tear," says White. Then try a clear gloss to boost all-over shine and vibrancy. This smooths the hair cuticle, making strands look lustrous. (John Frieda's Colour Refreshing Gloss won one of our 2014 Beauty Awards.)

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